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Development

Environmental

Waste Management

Water Quality

Taxes / Other info

Bad news for plastic recycling! According to discussions at the Environmental Advisory Committee about #3 to #7 plastics collection, the contractor will NOT take plastic bags nor styrofoam, aka "polystyrene". With respect to what's left, only food and beverage containers are accepted. Boo!

Council candidates - update: Councillor Garry Dalgity is the latest Almonte candidate to join Bernard Cameron and Chris O'Brien in the Almonte roster of candidates, making 4 in total. Dalgity - an unapologetic defender of the expensive new Sewage Treatment Plant - cautions the next Council to control spending! Brenda Hurrle will run for Mayor. Paul Watters joins two others for Ramsay's roster.

Election Survey Results coverage: The Canadian Gazette article covers the MMRAs Election Issues Survey Results.

How does septic tank effluent and sewage ultimately affect the environment? Given the apparent lack of "science" on the environmental benefits/problems related to spreading untreated septage on fields now compared to spreading the treated septage (biosolids) on farms later, one resident is having a real hard time understanding the difference between a) processing human waste into biosolids and liquid; b) rural septic system (raw or treated septage /biosolids spread on land/ liquids seep into water table); and c) Urban Waste Treatment Plant (treated biosolids spread on land; liquids seep into water table /river-ocean system). Check out his "flow" diagram... https://docs.google.com/drawings/edit?id=1A28pSLEvjj3KxmYybFU9eqzLTxOAJnJzB9SlcbL2vzM&hl=en.

The waste water treatment plant (WWTP) tender let for $24.7 million: The WWTP tender (for sewage plant AND septage component) was approved at the June 7/10 Public Works and Council meeting. The award was made to North America Construction Ltd. in the amount of $24,720,000. This bid was 12% less than projected (although the EMC reports that the full cost is close to $27 million). 2/3 rds ($16.3 million) of the tender cost will come from the Federal and Provincial governments. MM taxpayers however will end up paying more than 1/3rd, as a bill of about $10.7 million ($27M-$16.3M) comes their way.Let the sub-divisions begin!

Estimated cost update on septage component Based on material from the consultant (TRG) the Town now predicts the cost per household in the rural area for the construction component goes from the estimated $156 per household presented at the public septage meeting to $120 per household.

Councillors' attendance. While the EMC reports Councillor Minnille has missed one in three council meetings, we are not convinced that attendance should be the only metric used to judge councillors' performance. Some councillors have near perfect attendance records but contribute little. Some contribute lots yet miss many meetings. And there are those who miss lots and ...well... you know!

Almonte reps exercise hegemony at council table. At the June 24 Finance, Admin and Policy Committee meeting, in a 5 to 4 decision - Councillors Torrance(A) and Hurrle (P) were absent - Councillors Gillis (A), Minnille (A) and Dalgity (A), aided by Councillor Ferguson (P) and Mayor Lunney, rejected Councillor Edwards' (R) motion, supported by Councillors Wilkinson (R), Lowry (R) and Anderson (R) to reconsider Bylaw 09-14, which exclusively confers hydro revenue on Almonte ward.

MMRA's Election Issues Survey: The Election Issues online survey ran for about 6 weeks. Some of the results may surprise residents, including aspects of representation, council size and governance. Read the entire Survey Results Report here.

Development Trivia: During the calendar year 2009, the Town issued 286 permits with a work value of $21.6 million, and collected fees of $205,000.

Mayor Lunney desperate to get his way. According to the May 26/10 Canadian Gazette Mayor Lunney has let his frustration be known to MOE officials that his premise to build a septage facility in Almonte's Sewage Treatment Plant has no basis in provincial policy. The Alliance for Fair Taxation (AFT) have been saying all along that there is NO business requirement to establish a septage receiving component and that the cost involved is an unfair tax on residents - particularly rural residents. Word is that MOE officials considered the cost of the septage component very high compared to other studies, another fact the AFT have been warning about.

Councillor Dalgity's Almonte is entitled to it's entitlements. In a long-winded response to Ramsay Ward candidate Shaun McLaughlin's proposal that hydro revenues should be shared by all MM residents, not just Almonte residents, Councillor Dalgity seems to circle the wagons and dig in about Almonte's entitlements. EMC Online, May 20/10

First declared Almonte candidate Phil Wood, a former Almonte Councillor who was unsuccessful in the 2006 municipal elections has declared his interest in running for Almonte ward this fall.

Open Letter to Council on Septage. Local resident and business man Leonard Lee has written a persuasive Open Letter to Council on the issue of Septage Treatment. The letter poses questions, frames answers and offers recommendations for Council action.

Earlybird Nominations! Seems that long-time Ramsay ward Councillor James Lowry wanted to be first to put in his nomination papers. He was followed by Duncan Abbott and Phil Warland, both running in Pakenham, and Shaun McLaughlin running in Ramsay.

Trains are going, going, gone!Lanark County learned that Canadian Pacific Railway was planning to close the Ottawa Valley Rail line from Smiths Falls to Petawawa as quickly as possible. There are 104 miles of track and multiple trestles between these communities. Mississippi Mills has 14 railroad crossings and three major trestle crossings (two in Pakenham and one in Almonte) along the route. Read the notice on the Town’s website.

MRPC has cost overruns of 10% on $19 million project to date, according to the EMC Newspaper online. MRPC's problems were exacerbated by a breach in the dam over winter. What the article doesn't address are the potential financial impacts for Almonte's Sewage Treatment Plant. Hydro revenues go into the Water and Sewer revenue pool from which the Town expects to fund it's 1/3 rd portion of the $28 million sewage treatment plant. The potential spectre of hydro revenues being shared beyond the borders of Almonte ward compounds the confusion.

Water & Sewer rates to spike for Almonte residents ! Not surprisingly Almonte residents must pay for urban development in the ward... And not just $9 Million towards a new Sewage Treatment Plant, but Water and Sewer usage rates also. Public Meetings to consider 2010 Water & Sewer Rates and 2010 Budget will be held on March 30 to consider the proposed 5% increase in the base charge, 15% increase in the consumption charge. The budget spin is 0% tax rate increase, 5.5% overall tax levy increase.

The Feb 18/10 Public Meeting on Septage was a bust from the public's perspective: The Feb 18/10 public meeting attended by about 100 people (due to flyer-to-mailbox advertising by the Alliance) was generally considered a sham by attendees. Read the Town's minutes here. And here's a pretty good summation, posted to the MMRA's Discussion Group right after, from a witness at the scene. And to be fair, we've appended Councillor Ferguson's response to residents' concerns.

Councillor Pay Survey 2009. The Town participated in a Municipal Councillor Pay Survey commissioned by South Dundas Township. The Consultant's Report collected compensation data from twelve municipalities, including Mississippi Mills, with an average population of 11,000. The survey indicated that MM Mayor ($27,235) and Councillors ($12,473) are compensated above the average ($20,444 and $11,606) for the 12 municipalities surveyed.

AOTH Restoration Project- Staff Update requested Council has approved an additional $83,000 for stonework repairs to the Almonte Old Town Hall. Source: Page 10-11, Council Agenda Package, Feb 1, 2010

The language of postal businessResolution No. 036, Moved by Councillor Ferguson, Seconded by Councillor Edwards BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Mississippi Mills requests Minister Baird to provide clarification on the implementation by Canada Post of the Official Languages Act to areas that do warrant it such as Almonte and Pakenham. Source: Page 4, Council Agenda Package, Feb 1, 2010

Update: Lanark County's Transportation Master Plan (TMP). Since August, 2009, County Council has been considering the TMP recommendations from public consultations. Follow this link for Lanark County Council’s decisions to date, including Traffic Calming and Speed Management, Mitigation of Traffic Noise, Road and Bridge Capital Planning Coordination and Mitigation of Accessibility Barriers.

Is septage treatment in a sewage plant old technology (i.e. It uses energy while it wastes the energy potential of the sewage/septage.)? Here's a recent post in the MMRA Discussion group on bio-solids: At present the town of Cobourg and a farmer are being sued for $650,000 by a rural resident for the spreading of biosolids on a field adjacent to their residence. The party that is suing claims affected health due to contaminants in the biosolids. Point being, this will be a test case for the province. If the town and farmer fail to defend themselves this will definitely put pressure on these municipalities to not spread on ag land. This then opens a whole new problem as to what to do with all the biosolids. Landfills cannot accept them all for lack of space and the cost will be prohibitive for the municipalities. If this is the only route left then our cost of disposing of biosolids will be unknown... Mississippi Mills hasn't even gone down that road. The future will force municipalities to build anaerobic digesters rather than treatment plants as we know them. Maybe this is the route that our township should be going instead. Let's be futuristic in that this would generate income as it generates hydro plus operating costs are reasonably low. Keep in mind also for a municipality and farmers, if this case is lost, then liability insurance will go through the roof or will not be available at all if biosolids is the issue.

Town set to borrow upto $1 million. "The total amount which may be borrowed at any time under this by-law, together with the total of any similar borrowings that have not been repaid, shall not exceed from January 1st to September 30th of the current year, 50 percent of the total, and from October 1st to December 31st of the current year, 25 percent of the total of the estimated revenues of the Corporation as set forth in the estimates adopted for the current year or $1,000,000.00, whichever is less." Source: Page 20, Council Agenda Package, Jan 4, 2010

Mid-December Update on Septage Issue Click here to read the Alliance's update. Get the December 14/09 CoW Agenda details and Council Agenda details here.

Lanark residents don't agree with township on water and sewer: In a similar vein to Mississippi Mills' Alliance for Fair Taxation's call to have Council reconsider the costs and benefits of a septage facility within MM's WWTP, Lanark residents appear to be railing against their Township's plans. Read the Dec 2/09 article "Overwhelming support for septic upgrades" in the Perth Courier's yourperth.ca. Local politicians have objected to the interference from provincial MMPs in the debate. Read the Courier's Dec 2/09 article "County calls for support on interference issue."

Ontario’s financial indicators show MM's debt far above average, reserves below average Read one member's report on the December Finance, Administration and Planning (FAP) Committee Meeting. Click here for the FAP agenda package.

MMRA and Town pressure gets Canada Post to review decision about Pakenham Post Office bilingualism. Canada Post has apparently decided to clarify the bilingualism policy for Pakenham and go back to the status quo. For more details, see Mayor Lunney's blog. Read Roy MacGregor's article in the Globe online, "Woman becomes the postal child for language war in small town". Much media credit goes to Kelly Egan, whose columns in the Ottawa Citizen have shown great tenacity. Read "Why language policies are so farcical" and "Return this decision to sender", as well as Tom Spears' "Postmistress who knows no French loses job". View the prior CBC story "Postmaster loses job to language rules".

Riverfront Estates /Houchaimi Subdivision, Phase 1b: Council approves the lifting of the 0.3m (1ft) reserve for Phase 1b of the Riverfront Estates Subdivision, described as Blocks 64, 65 and 68 on Plan 27M-40, Ramsay Ward.

Ann St Development: Council approves (tentatively) the dedication of Ann Street and Stanley Brothers Street, as shown on the approved Plan of Subdivision, and the extension of Ann Street to Country Street, as shown on the draft reference plan, as public roads.

Sadler Estates (2000396 Ontario Inc. - Bassile): Council defers Zoning By-law amendment... until an acceptable agreement of the lane ownership has been achieved.

Reference: Council Agenda Package, November 30, 2009

Mid-November Update on Septage Issue Click here to read the Alliance's update.

Consultant's numbers for WWTP causing concern
- The recent presentation by the Thompson Rosemount Group (TRG) to the septage committee pegged the price of the septage component of the sewage plant at $1,932,000. Is this a drop from the original estimate of $2.8 million, or is it referring to just part of the component?
- TRG estimates a tipping fee of $10.16 per cubic metre is all that is needed to recover the costs of the septage component—but Watson and Associates has consistently estimated that cost at over $40. Why the difference?
- TRG stated that Ottawa charges $35 per cubic metre when Watson and Associates has consistently pegged it at less than that, $18-$23. Why the difference?

30% Design Report for WWTP (formerly STP): The proposed Almonte Sewage Treatment Plant is now being referred to as the Mississippi Mills Waste Water Treatment Plant... The draft initial Design Report can be found on page 23 of the Nov 5/09 R&PWC agenda package.. We looked at the overview of the design The new WWTP is 50% larger than the current lagoon system: the septage component, because of its effluent concentration, enlarges the new WWTP by an additional 70% (3300 m3/d). It is costing the Town $600,000 for this increase in size, The problem is two-fold.
1) If we don’t use the septage component, the Town can apply for an increase rating to 8000 cubic metres per day and
2) A By-law or an OMB decision could stop entirely any septage from being dumped into the WWTP so that the Town of Almonte could then make use of the increase in size and therefore an increase in development and have rural residents pay for it. Read our reporter's comments here.

Perfunctory public input planned for Community Official Plan (COP) revision. The Town is preparing a list of proposed changes to the COP to be presented at a public open house in January 2010. Any proposed changes will be finalized and brought to Council as policy matters. These policies will be presented to Council at a future public meeting prior to adoption.

Financial impacts discussed at the Nov 19/09 FAP Committee meeting. included a) additional costs for the AOTH restoration; b) the new lower falls generator to come online Dec 15/09 and c) the current estimate of a $3 million budget shortfall. Numbers from the September 24/09 FAPC meeting agenda package are being reviewd by MMRA and Alliance memebrs.

Ann Street sewer infrastructure plans cut back because of costs. Storm sewer infrastructure upgrades will be limited to the Ann/Robert St intersection, and won't go up Ann St as was previously planned as a cost-sharing with the developer. So no upgrades up the hill and full cost billed later to residents?

Ann St (Almonte Mews) developer wants 80-unit condo building Developer Andrew Cinnamon proposed changes to the development of land in the Almonte Mews subdivision, to develop a large three to four storey condominium building of 70 to 80 units. According to the town's website the draft plan of subdivision consisted of 21 blocks to be occupied by a total of 83 residential units. So does this effectively change the proposal for development and add density?

WMI to offer collection of #3-7 plastics for a fee: Town plans to extend Waste Management Inc's contract for blue box recycling for 3 years. In exchange WMI will, in addition to items currently being collected, also collect # 2 large mouth HDP with the regular collection at no additional charge. Furthermore, bins will be provided to the Municipality free of charge to be placed at selected locations for plastics not currently allowed in the contract (# 3 - #7 plastics). The Town will have to pay WMI to transport the bins back to the Carleton Place recycling yard at an estimated amount of $300,00 per load. On the horizon, Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) is considering taking over the recycling collection in the province to reduce cost and standardize collection.

Is There Really a Value to All Those Little Green Habits? Sweat the small stuff. But keep your eye on the bigger prize. (Read the entire article at the Planet Green.Discovery.coom website)

Consultant Proposing Nov 30/09 for public meeting on Septage business plan. Read the Town's RFP and the Consultant's response.

Should there be a separate committee to deal with the septage portion of the water/sewer discussions? Rural Councillors and Urban Councillors lined up across the table about septage discussions at OCt 5/09 CoW meeting.

Rural vs Urban splits showing up at Council over Septage issue EMC Article raises concerns about how prepared Council is to manage septage discussions

The Province has no plans to restrict the spreading of septage. Sources have indicated to the MMRA that the rationale for building a septage receiving component at the new Almonte Sewage Treatment Plant does not exist in law. Unless the Town has made a quiet deal with the Province to "pilot" such an exercise here, there are apparently no firm plans for a provincial prohibition on spreading septage on fields.

Dovercliffe subdivision proposed alongside sewage lagoons! A controversial Carleton Place developer, Brylin Construction, (SEH Developments), plans for 474 units (as of August 2009) to be located on the Dovercliffe Court land alongside Almonte's sewage lagoons. In December 2008 staff briefed MM Planning Committee that 264 units were being planned in the subdivision. In January 2009 Mr. Bryant Cougle of Brylin attended Council to discuss his proposed development, saying that the land would have to be rezoned residential and suggested moving the lagoons approximately 200 metres! Committee members discussed the status of the proposed Almonte Sewage Treatment Plant. Speculation is that such a proposed development adds impetus to abandon the lagoons in favour of the STP, a more expensive proposition for taxpayers.

Councillors seem very skittish as a result of Alliance delegation. The Alliance formally carried residents' concerns to Council on Tuesday Sept 8/09. As if on cue, Almonte Councillors Minnille and Torrance took a very defensive approach to Shaun McLaughlin's presentation, and Chair Dalgity summarily dismissed Mr. McLaughlin's comments by suggesting he was "talking in circles". The Mayor sat mute through the entire agenda item. Here's the Sept 14/09 Canadian Gazette online article and the Sept 17/09 EMC online article.

The financial impact of Town's sewage/septage treatment plans is getting increased attention The alliance of the Appleton Community Association (ACA), Canadian Property Rights Coalition (CPRC) and MMRA have started to make inroads into increasing awareness among residents about the Town's financing plans for the Almonte Sewage Treatment Plant and rural septage. After a highly successful public meeting on August 19 at the Pakenham Arena, and an information booth at the "MM At A Glance" event on September 1 in the Almonte Arena, more individuals and groups are expected to come forward to challenge the Town's unfair taxation on rural and Almonte residents. In the absence of current news reporting in Mississippi Mills, interest in the MMRA's Communique e-letter and website has increased significantly.

Eff Sept 29/09 new development charges are in place in MM This link to the Town's website gets you the Executive Summary version. The link is also available off our Archives Page.

Sept 10/09: Water & Sewer Meeting The consultant's report was discussed tonight at the W&S meeting. Briefly, for the urban user, the committee agreed to move forward with the consultant’s recommendation of an annual 5% increase in the water/sewage charge. See section 7.2 of the report and table 7.2, and items 1 and 2 in 7.4. For the rural user, the committee wants the consultant to present a business plan for the septage component, assumingly, to be based on some of his recommendations listed in 7.3 and items 3-5 in 7.4. The consultant is still suggesting the same three options as last time (tax, levy, or tipping fee) but has added a fourth: a one-time capital cost levy of about $270 (combined with a small tipping fee).

August 19/09 Public information meeting sponsored by 3 community groups: The MMRA, CPRC and ACA have kept their promise to host a public information meeting to address concerns about the town's septage plan. Read the Media Release, issued August 5/09.

Lower development charges in Almonte and higher charges in rural areas? A consultant's report following a 2007 Development Charges study is proposing that the town REDUCE urban charges by about $2700 and raise rural charges by over $1200 (see slide 20-22). The implication is that developers (and consequently new home buyers) - who are already paying less in development charges than many other places - will be getting a bigger break in Almonte. This means that existing taxpayers - both urban and rural - are subsidizing developers so that they can lower the cost of new units.

Almonters will pay a bundle for water and sewer - rural residents just say NO! Read this informative report from an MMRA member who attended the June 18/09 Water and Sewer Subcommittee Meeting.

Alliance of local groups forms to fight Town's rural septage plan Three Mississippi Mills community groups have formed an alliance to challenge the Town's position and plans for rural septage. The Town wants to treat septage in the new sewage treatment plant (STP) and charge rural taxpayers 10% of the STP construction cost.

The Mississippi Mills Residents Association (MMRA), the Canadian Property Rights Coalition (CPRC) and the Appleton Community Association (ACA) plan an information campaign, including a public meeting, to present alternative scenarios for septage treatment and to oppose any plan by the Town to tax rural residents for building the new STP.

The Alliance agrees that raw septage should not be applied to fields but believes there are more cost-effective methods available than treating it in the STP. The Alliance maintains that rural residents should be exempt from sharing the capital cost of the STP for the following reasons:
1. Rural homeowners have already paid for their personal sewage treatment infrastructure.
2. Charging rural residents for sewage treatment goes against the terms of the original amalgamation agreement.
3. The Town should be charging developers higher lot levies to cover the STP costs, since the STP is needed primarily to service new Almonte subdivisions. Rural residents should not be asked to subsidize urban developers.

The Alliance will provide updates and new information in various forums.

Town has made efforts to address issues with Howie Rd Landfill site: Town staff advise the MMRA that "The town has also done improvements at the site to improve grading at the site to reduce infiltration and direct water off the landfill site and in 2008 and 2009 the town has planted approximately 250 hybrid poplars and willows along the length of the landfill which will also to help improve the water quality using phytoremediation. ... we will continue to take waste to the Carp landfill site until it is closed and continue to look at options for waste disposal and improvements at the Howie Road site."

About 60 in attendance at June 2/09 Public Meeting on Septage/ STP: A good number of residents came out to listen to the consultant's presentation on the STP and septage options. Many questions were asked, particularly with regards to the costs to be borne by rural residents. Read one attendee's notes here.

Council REFUSES Ann St developer's request to reduce development charges: Wisely, Council refused a request by the Ann Street developer requesting that development charges be reduced on the pretext of assisting building of affordable housing units. See extract from minutes.

New zoning by-law coming: J.L. Richards will be hired to construct a new zoning by-law for Mississippi Mills. See extract from minutes. Residents may well want to keep an eye on this item.

A Noise By-Law that's silent for residents: The Town's Noise By-Law does not make reference to decibel levels. The by-law requires that for this type of construction work developers must work within the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sundays and Statutory holidays. For the Ann Street development, the developer was restricted to working on weekdays between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and was instructed to seek permission in advance if they wanted to work on Saturdays and no work is permitted on Sundays. The developer is asking for permission to work on Saturdays. At the May 19 CoW meeting, in response to a neighbourhood delegation, Mayor and Councillors agreed that no extension will be considered to construction hours. Still on Saturday May 23 around noon, neighbours reported that crews had been on the job since 9:00 am running heavy equipment. The question remains: Does the Town have any real enforcement powers?

CBMAR rejects Bill 173 on Mining Reform as unjust and unbalanced. Coalition for Balanced Mining Act Reform (CBMAR) has reviewed the proposed changes to the Mining Act and has criticized it as not being balanced or just, while ignoring the CBMAR's "three modest proposals". Please read the CBMAR's Information flyer.


Pesticides now banned in Ontario Ontario’s lawns, gardens, school yards and parks will be a lot healthier beginning Earth Day, April 22, 2009. That’s the effective date of the province’s cosmetic pesticides ban. What the MMRA and many others have been saying for a decade now is contained in the The Ontario government's press release: "... the use of pesticides to control pesky weeds and insects for purely cosmetic reasons is an unnecessary risk to our families and pets, especially when you can have a healthier lawn and garden without chemicals. ... The provincial ban overrides municipal pesticide bylaws, protecting all Ontarians... ... It also establishes one clear set of rules, which makes it easier for Ontario businesses to follow." Read the government's Press Release. Click here for a guideline document that explains the classifications in real language. For more information on pesticides, here's a good database.

Septage Receiving Facility within Sewage Treatment Plant: In a December 2008 staff report to F&AP, it was anticipated that $1,086,150 would need to be recovered from residents for Septage Receiving at the proposed STP. If the capital costs only were to be added as a special charge on the rural residents' tax bill the annual cost would be approximately $16.00 per household (annual debt repayments of $43,500 divided by 2,760 rural households). The June 2 Public Meeting is expected to update residents on some of these issues with septage and the STP.

Pike's proposal for the Almonte Downtown: Gord Pike presented his proposal to take ordinary buildings in downtown Almonte and make them extraordinary. See extract from May 19/09 Council Minutes.

Hydro Project affects residents of Millfall: A delegation of about 40 residents from the 69 Millfall Condominium units addressed Council with concerns about health, safety and financial impacts due to the hydro project, and poor communications from MRPC.

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It's going to Howie in a handbasket! FA&P Committee March 2, 2009:
7. BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Mississippi Mills directs staff to opt out of the joint waste disposal Request for Proposal which has been prepared with other neighbouring municipalities;
8. AND FURTHERMORE THAT the municipalities participating in the joint tender for disposal be informed that the Town will be proceeding with plans to take the Town’s waste to the Howie Road landfill site. Wonder what the residents of West Carleton (Ottawa) think about that?

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Diamond driller confirms 15 drill holes at Frontenac Ventures exploration site The Frontenac News reported on February 12, 2009, that "Ministries of Northern Development and Mines and Aboriginal Affairs all say they were unaware that drilling had already occurred when they negotiated an accommodation agreement between early June and late November of 2008 concerning Frontenac Ventures' future drilling program." For the complete article view the Frontenac News article online.

Sewage Treatment Plant, agreement for $28 million: The Federal, Provincial and Municipal government will each pay 1/3 each ($9.35m). But hold the "champagne and cake"! Councillor Edwards agrees that "$9 million dollars from Mississippi Mills is a huge debt load." The MMRA conservatively estimates that with an amortization over 40 years and at 6% interest, MM payments would be just over $600,000 per year or about $300 per household! Since, according to Mayor Lunney , "... every municipality must have a plan in place to deal with the septage from its rural communities...the new plant will be designed to have that capability." Clearly, rural residents are not off the hook! So if you wanted development in Almonte... here it comes!

SPC's Jan-Mar/09 Update contains information on Public Consultation on the Clean Water Act’s Financial Assistance Program, including a Comment Deadline of March 23, Public Meeting being held March 9 at the Perth Legion and a comment form online at www.mrsourcewater.ca, as well as the 2009 Source Protection Committee meeting schedule

MRPC Lower Falls Redevelopment: A period of warm temperatures in January and heavy rains, caused the flows in the river to increase drastically and the ice cover on the river (from Almonte to Appleton) began to break up. This caused water to flood the entire construction site and delay further work on the new Generating Station. See the MRPC site for the details. While such issues are not unusual, the cost and revenue impact of these delays will have a direct effect on the projected profits of the MRPC and hence on the Town's funding plan for its proposed Sewage Treatment Plant, where hydro profits have been earmarked for use. Residents seek better financial disclosure.

Lubber subdivision plans causes Appleton residents concern: The Appleton Community Association highlighted residents' concerns at the Jan 20/09 public meeting (Click here for notes of the meeting) related to errors in the base map/ Appleton boundaries, the treatment of the Appleton Wetlands and the proposed road allowance adjacent to prime farmland, per the ACA's Draft Submission.

Appletex and environmental status On January 9th, representatives of the Appletex Committee met with representatives of the Ministry of the Environment, Mississippi Mills and Mississippi Valley Conservation. The purpose of the meeting was to share information among the participants and to give the Appletex Committee of the Appleton Community Association a chance to ask questions and raise concerns. Read the Appletex Committee's notes of the meeting.

Waste Diversion Ontario (WDO) has undertaken a review of the existing Blue Box Program Plan (BBPP) at the request of the Minister of the Environment. The BBPP, implemented 5 years ago, established how industry packaging and printed paper stewards provide annual support to the municipal residential recycling program amounting to 50% of net operating costs. The Minister directed WDO to conduct the review using the principles of extended producer responsibility under which producers take responsibility for a product to the post-consumer stage of the product’s lifecycle. WDO is currently consulting on the draft recommendations resulting from the public review.

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Dec 4/08: Landfill capacity estimates for Howie Rd Waste Disposal site. Staff report that new landfill estimates for the Howie Rd site mean that curbside waste could be diverted there for up to 20 years. Read the extract from the Committee Minutes

Nov 10/08: Megastromatolites in Almonte development site Attached are a couple of photos showing domal stromatolites, some up to 4 metres in diameter, that have been recently exposed by the removal of clay overburden in preparation for installation of several rows of townhouses within the Ann Street Development in Almonte. Neil Carleton discovered and recognized the significance of this site, only a block away from his home, soon after the project got underway just a few weeks before his operation. ....read more...

Nov 18/08: Coalition for Balanced Mining Act Reform (CBMAR) formed. This Coalition includes a large number of community groups like OCAMU and FUME and CMAG, municipalities including Ottawa, Kingston and Haliburton Highlands, Environmental and Field Naturalist Groups, the Federation Of Cottagers Associations (FOCA), politicians from all levels of government, and municipal officials working through the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). The Coalition is seeking the public's help in advancing three modest proposals ... (read more)...

Nov 3/08:Town seeks federal financing for STP The Town is considering applying for $3.5 million under the Build Canada Fund (see link, page 13/31) to reduce its contribution to the Sewage Treatment Plant. While Town administration believes the required studies have all been done, the MMRA Board still feels answers to questions we have raised have not been forthcoming.

SPC's Fall Update, Oct/08: Mississippi Rideau SPC Member, Patricia Larkin, who represents non-government organizations on the Source Protection Committee (SPC), reports that the Committee is awaiting the draft technical studies which will map the wellhead protection areas and intake protection zones of the municipal water supplies. Members will be touring several towns to see /gain an understanding of the locations of the systems within their general environments and how they work.

MPAC Presentation to Council. This MPAC presentation was shown to Town Council. The MissMills specific data is at the back end of the presentation. Bev Disney from MPAC to give a presentation to the public on the assessment changes for 2009. Here are some notes from the November 13/08 presentation.

Nov 3/ 08: Changes to procedural bylaws Council is trying to improve decision making at Council by changing the ability to bring up previously dealt with items (Reconsideration), Suspension of Rules, Notice to the Public, Emergency Meetings, Definition of "Committee" and Motions.See page 16/31 here. What do you think?

October 3, 2008, Lanark Network Analysis and TMP Lanark County does not have an Official Plan. Development and transportation issues are addressed in the Official Plans and the Zoning By-Laws of the local municipalities. Of the 2,500-kilometre network in the County, there are 1860 km (74%) of local municipal roads, 570 km (23%) of County roads and 70 km (3%) of provincial highways. So how important are the Municipality and traffic studies? Traffic Impact studies for recent developments have been factored into the TMP. Can residents rely on these studies for planning purposes? For more information about the County's 20-year Transportation Master Plan read the "Network Analysis andTransportation Master Plan."

October 3, 2008: MIning Act Reform The Ottawa Coalition Against Mining Uranium (OCAMU) notes that 24 municipalities in Eastern Ontario have petitioned the Government of Ontario to enact a Moratorium on Uranium Mining UNTIL a comprehensive impact analysis and full public review of the Mining Act is done. The Ontario Government is inviting comments on the Mining Act review, with new legislation in December of this year. Oct 15th deadline for submissions on Mining Act Reform. To give your comments to the Province read CCAMU's notice. The Town supports the unification of Mineral and Property Rights.See Page 43 Item 17 of the Oct 6/08 Agenda package

Extract from MMRA Discussion Group: Almonte Ward recently authored a bylaw to direct all profits from power generation /distribution to be spent strictly on water and sewer projects, thereby offsetting a proportion of expected costs of the Sewage Treatment Plant. Some think this is inappropriate. Mississippi River Power Corporation (MRPC) users may potentially overpay on hydro usgae in order to fund a sewage system whose primarily purpose is to allow expansion of the urban area. Hydro users should pay for hydro and sewage users should pay for sewage. Costs should be charged to those for whom the expansion is being made; i.e. future development. MM development fees (about $10K) are out of line with what the City of Ottawa believes is the price of hooking up (approx. $30K). How can MM do it for one-third the cost? This is also way out of line with what rural residents pay to install a well and septic field (more than $20k).

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October 6. 2008: Reduce the size of Council? Councillor Minnille calls for a discussion on the reduction in the size of council and dissolving the ward system. This last came up in 2003 and it's coming up again as this Council is half-way through its mandate. See Page 8 of the Oct 6/08 Agenda package

Mr. Mayor, Is anyone there?. Having had just about enough of the "pro development at any cost" attitude from Council and the lack of responsibility to the children and residents of our community, resident Rodney Groulx takes a strip off the Mayor and Council on what Rodney sees as a lack of concern by the Mayor masked as indignation. His letter includes a picture to drive home his point about safety. Click here to read it!

New motel:The owners of JR's Restaurant have proposed to the September 16/08 Planning Committee the addition of an 8 or 10 (?) unit motel adjacent to the Restaurant. The site plan proposal would add the 3300 sq ft motel to the existing 5000 sq ft restaurant built in 1985.

Council, September 2, 2008: Ann St Subdivision Council endorses 3-year extension of the draft plan approval for the Nimer Subdivision to allow County consideration.

Council September 15, 2008 Councillors debated but rejected the notion of limiting the distance to where Mississippi Mills garbage could be hauled and dumped. In discussing a joint tender, most on Council didn't see a problem with allowing the waste disposal contractor to ship our garbage wherever it's most economical. After Ottawa's Carp Landfill site is at capacity in 2010, a contractor will decide where the participating municipalities' garbage will end up. How nice!

Plastic Water Bottles: Council seem unaware of movement to reduce use of these bottles, as these are prominent in front of all councillors during meetings. Why won't they drink MM water?

MMRA Submission to Minister, September 29, 2008: In a letter to the Ontario Minister of Infrastructure, the Hon. George Smitherman, the MMRA Board of Directors requested that the Minister deny funding to the Town until a proper business case was put forward. The MMRA Board noted that overstated growth projections have resulted in over optimistic development proposals that necessitate the creation of a new sewage treatment plant. The MMRA Board argues in its submission that the Town needs to "Pause for Thought" and reconsider its growth scenarios and revalidate all assumptions prior to putting taxpayers on the line for over $21 million.

Council, September 2, 2008: Sewage Treatment Plant:Thompson Rosemount Group (TRG) introduce themselves to Council. Propose 2 public meetings as part of preliminary design stage - likely Dec/08 and Mar/09. Many questions by Council on handling rural septage at minimal cost to rural residents. Will be a watch item for many. Consideration about cost escalation issues resulting from decision delays, as Ontario Construction Price Index is 6%-8% p.a.

Council, September 2, 2008: LLA. The Lanark Landowners Association (LLA) advised Council of their opposition to Reg 88 of Clean Water Act that allows unrestricted powers of entry to inspectors. The LLA put Councillors on notice that each will be polled to determine their support for demanding change to this provincial requirement to "permission prior to entry". Councillors generally favourable to LLA position, but would like to hear from provincial rep.

Council, September 15, 2008: Roundabout and Speed Limit. The roundabout will be completed by Hallowe'en! And heading into Almonte, slow down to 70 kph on March Rd at the Town's boundary, then 50 kph at Greystone Dr!

Council, September 2, 2008: Fire Safety Staff raise concerns about the awareness among residents, particularly landlords in MM, about the requirement for smoke detectors. 147 inspections to date in 2008.

Riverfront Estates (Spring St): Thomas Cavanagh Construction Ltd. retained by Houchiami Holdings under direction of David McManus Engineering Ltd. to complete Roads, Underground Servicing and Drainage Construction for Riverfront estates subdivision. A portion of this contract involves drilling and blasting of existing bedrock. This drilling and blasting operation will commence on August 18th, 2008 and will continue for a 4 – 5 week duration between the hours of 7:00am and 7:00 pm.

National Post, August 20, 2008:Upset about the Conservative government's decision not to post on the Internet a major report warning about the health effects of climate change in Canada, bloggers have taken upon themselves to make it widely available. A handful of Websites are offering for download the full content of Health Canada's report Human Health in a Changing Climate, released without fanfare by the government on July 31. The document is available from the department upon request only. Click here to read the entire article.

Council, August 18, 2008:Council awarded the preliminary design of the mechanical sewage treatment facility to The Thompson Rosemount Group in the amount of $427,680. The contract provides for an option to proceed to final design.

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Mayor Lunney:It was a wonderful day in Almonte today (August 16) as hundreds of people sent off five young soldiers from our community to Afghanistan with our prayers, best wishes and support for their families. It was capped off by the presentation of the Key to the Town of Mississippi Mills to a young Appleton soldier, Master-Corporal Sean Niefer.

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